CHECK
BUSINESS NAME AVAILABILITY

Name Availability Look-Up Service
The State provides name availability look up services for a fee. You may call 609.292.9292 to obtain the service.

Name Browsing
You may also browse names on file with the State of New Jersey to get a general sense of which names are available. You may browse names online free of charge. When checking a name, be exact. The spacing of letters and punctuation will alter the results of your search. Should you begin forming your business with a name already in use, the registration will be denied and any expense to correct the filing will be borne by the business entity.

Foreign Business Names
Foreign businesses (those formed outside of New Jersey) seeking authorization to do business in this state must determine if the exact name on the formation document in their home state may be used in New Jersey.

Example: A. B. C. North Boulevard, a Delaware business is seeking authorization to do business in New Jersey. When determining the name availability, the business must check on its exact formation name.

The incorrect versions illustrate differences from the formation name as a result of spacing of letters, punctuation and abbreviation of a word. The availability of the exact formation name must be determined. Filing using the incorrect formation name would be rejected and authorization to do business in New Jersey delayed.

D/B/A Name
When the business name selected for use is already taken and you are forming a New Jersey (domestic) business entity, you will need to select another name for your business.

If you are a foreign (non-New Jersey) business and the corporate name is already taken in this state, you will need to establish a secondary or 'doing business as' name for New Jersey purposes. This 'doing business as' or "dba" name must also be available and not taken by another
business entity. When submitting the registration document, you will indicate the business name exactly as it was established in the home state followed by the name to be used in New Jersey.

Example: A. B. C. Incorporated, a Delaware business determined that its name was already taken in this state. The business found that the name C B A Inc. was available in New Jersey. When registering, the foreign business will indicate its exact formation name followed by the business name to be used in New Jersey as follows:

The incorrect version illustrates that the formation name does not match exactly as a result of spacing of letters, punctuation and abbreviation of a word. As a result, filing using the incorrect formation name would be rejected and authorization to do business in New Jersey delayed.

Only foreign businesses may use a "dba" business name. Domestic businesses do not have this option. The registration of domestic (New Jersey) businesses may be rejected when a 'dba' name is used.

In addition, foreign businesses designating a "dba" business name may not file online. When submitting the registration information by paper, a copy of the corporate resolutions adopting the New Jersey "dba" name should be attached.

Name Reservation
You may reserve an available business name prior to filing the formation documents. The length of time the reservation is in effect depends on the type of business. There is a fee for this service.

Alternate Name
A business entity may also legally conduct business in the state under a name other than the formation name by registering an alternate name. This is done after the business entity has been established or receives authorization to do business in New Jersey.